MOSCOW (MRC) -- Munich-based chemical company Wacker is expanding its product range with a new liquid silicone rubber for the production of automotive gaskets, reported the company on its site.
Molded parts made from the new silicone are resistant to heat and coolant and exhibit low compression set even under permanent stress. Car radiators and cooling-system components can thus be reliably sealed. ELASTOSIL RT 728, as the new silicone grade is called, can be injection molded or mechanically dispensed straight onto the part to be sealed.
ELASTOSIL RT 728 has been chiefly developed for the production of fluid- and heat-resistant gaskets for the automotive industry. The liquid silicone is characterized by high coolant resistance. Gaskets made from ELASTOSIL RT 728 exhibit no more than 30% compression set after 1000 hours in coolant at a temperature of 105 C. After 1000 hours at 125 C, the permanent deformation is still less than 65% as soon as the stress is removed. The elastomer’s high resilience delivers constant contact pressure and optimum leaktightness in the seal groove. Moreover, even long-term stress has very little effect on the overall property profile of ELASTOSIL RT 728. Vulcanizates of the new liquid silicone meet delivery specifications of leading car manufacturers concerning gaskets for use in engine cooling systems.
ELASTOSIL RT 728 supports cost-efficient series production of parts by injection molding. However, the liquid silicone can also be applied by dispensing equipment straight onto the part to be sealed - automotive subcontractors use this method to produce two-component parts. ELASTOSIL RT 728 meets all the key requirements of this application. By virtue of its shear-thinning properties, it can be applied by dispensing equipment and is self-adhesive. Automotive suppliers, such as Stuttgart-based MAHLE, uses the product to make radiator components.
As MRC reported earlier, Wacker Polymers, a division of Wacker Chemie AG, is to raise its prices for vinyl acetate-ethylene (EVA) and ethylene-vinyl chloride-based (EVCL) copolymer dispersions of the VINNAPAS and VINNOL brand in the regions Americas and Greater China. As customer contracts allow, effective August 1, 2014, prices will be raised by USD0.03 per pound in the Americas. In Greater China, prices will increase by CNY300 per ton.
In Europe, the temporary surcharge of EUR140 per ton for vinyl acetate-based homopolymer dispersions as well as for vinyl acetate-ethylene and ethylene-vinyl chloride-based copolymer dispersions implemented on May 1, 2014, will persist, as customer contracts allow, until further notice.
Wacker Chemie AG is a worldwide operating company in the chemical business, founded 1914. The company is controlled by the Wacker-family holding more than 50 percent of the shares. The corporation is operating more than 25 production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The product range includes silicone rubbers, polymer products like ethylene vinyl acetate redispersible polymer powder, chemical materials, polysilicon and wafers for semiconductor industry.
MRC